Clayton Grueb, (left) a Black Hills State University pre-law student, was recently selected for an internship in the nation’s capital under a pilot program established in 2006 by Gov. Mike Rounds. Dr. Ahrar Ahmad, (right) political science professor, one of several BHSU faculty members who encouraged Grueb to apply for the honor, says the committee members were particularly impressed with Grueb’s academic growth and his keen interest in politics and public policy.

Clayton Grueb, a Black Hills State University pre-law student, is one of eight students from South Dakota higher education institutions who has been chosen for an internship in the nation’s capital under a pilot program established in 2006 by Gov. Mike Rounds. Grueb was the only BHSU student chosen for the internship.

Grueb has been selected for the Governor’s Washington Internship Pilot Program, which provides financial support for students to pursue internships based on their academic work and career plans. The internships are arranged by the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (www.twc.edu).

“The Washington Internship Pilot Program offers outstanding students an opportunity to gain professional experience in Washington, D.C., for academic credit,” said Gov. Rounds. “Internships such as these provide students with excellent background for further learning and will help students when they seek employment or admission to graduate or professional school.”

Grueb will receive a $5,475 award to cover the Washington Center program fee. The students are responsible for all tuition and fees for credits earned during the internship, for living costs and for travel to and from Washington. The students chosen agreed to return to South Dakota for at least one semester of full-time enrollment or one year of employment after the internship ends.

Grueb says several BHSU faculty members encouraged him to apply for the internship. Dr. Ahrar Ahmad, one of the faculty members who suggested Grueb apply, says that he is an excellent choice for this program.

“Clayton has demonstrated curiosity, industry and integrity in his performance as a student here. The committee members (which included Dr. Pam Carriveau and Dr. George Earley) were particularly impressed with the maturity and improvement he has shown in his academic growth and his keen interest in politics and public policy,” Ahmad says. “It was obvious that the internship would be a meaningful experience in terms of his personal and professional development. He has earned this honor, and we congratulate him on his success.”

Grueb says it’s an honor to be selected and thinks the experience will be beneficial in many ways.

“This internship will help me achieve my goals. I have always wanted to visit our capital city and see all the sites and see first hand how the government of our great country works. The classes being offered at the center will directly assist me in preparing for law school,” Grueb says. “The opportunity to work directly with the federal judiciary branch of the government will help me prepare for life outside of school.”

When he applied, Grueb expressed an interest in working with three areas: the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He expects he will be placed in one of these three areas. While completing the internship Grueb will attend classes two days per week and work three days per week. He will receive 12 credits from BHSU for completing the program.

Grueb, who says he has been interested in law since middle school, says his long-term plan is to go into prosecution and preferably stay in the West River area of South Dakota.

“My professional goals are to become a prosecutor in my home town of Rapid City, to become a States Attorney for our great state, and to one day become a judge,” Grueb stated in his application for the program.

When Grueb graduates in spring 2008, he plans to attend law school. He expressed his appreciation and admiration for several of his faculty at BHSU.

In addition to the $5,475 from the South Dakota Governor’s Office for the program cost, Grueb will receive $2,000 from the Chiesman Foundation for Democracy and a $1,000 Civic Engagement Award from the Washington CEtner to help cover expenses for his semester long internship in Washington, D.C. He is seeking additional funding. For more information, contact George Earley, at 642-6270 or email GeorgeEarley@BHSU.edu.